Theos-Talk Archives (June 1996 Message tt00026)

Nicholas writes:

>Ethics & Virtue are still at the top of the list, but I do not
>see any particular need to reinvent the wheel in teaching them.
>True, many youngsters (both chronological & emotional ones) have
>trouble with the perception and the fact of authority, whether
>religious, secular or personal. But that is a reflection of the
>conceit & selfish esteem promoted by schools, media & some
>parents. Rather than adjust downwards the standards, I try to
>suggest they get rid of their prejudice & hangups with
>"authority". Yes, there are Papal figures & dogmatic teachings
>in all spiritual fields. But for every hitleresque "leader" or
>dogma (or wannabee) there are 10 immature, prideful students.
>Also ethics may be one of the least academic areas of thought.
>Unlike geometry, sociology or economics, ethics has always and
>will always, be taught at mother's knee in a family setting. It
>is also conveyed through whatever religion the child is exposed
>to, outside the home. So while the teaching of ethics in schools
>does occur it is (and again, always will be) the least
>influential source, compared to home & temple. In short,
>whatever "postmodern" thought means, I do not think it
>encompasses the world -- the Western academic world perhaps --
>but not the world.

Rather than "reinvent the wheel" in teaching ethics, a challenge
I see among many theosophical students is the development of a
complete unawareness of ethics as being at the heart of the TM.
Without those ethics Theosophy as a philosophy is at best
worthless, and at worst, a toll for bringing even greater misery
to the world. So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce the
idea that ethics is part of Theosophy.

The irony concerning the post modern movement is that it began as
a reaction against those in political power who use our
modernistic values and beliefs for their own selfish gain and for
the subjugation of women and minorities. But it seems that it
has back fired. I sense a popular movement to use the new found
freedoms inherent in post modern values for even further selfish
ends.